The interest around The Halo Effect’s formation went far beyond the usual intrigue and anticipation afforded to such projects. After all, a melodeath supergroup put together by a bunch of ex-In Flames members (including early-doors singer Mikael Stanne, now with Dark Tranquillity) brought tantalising hope for those who hold the likes of The Jester Race and Clayman deep in their hearts.
While few would begrudge In Flames’ evolution over the past two decades, the longing for the halcyon days of mid-to-late-90s melodic death metal is felt as strongly by some as the NWOBHM, Bay Area and Florida death scenes that preceded them. Such is the quality of the albums that emerged from Gothenburg during that time that subsequent releases from Arch Enemy and Dark Tranquillity, a fabulous At The Gates second coming and even In Flames’ own ode to yesteryear on 2023’s Foregone couldn’t quite scratch the itch.
